My transmission takes about 5 to 10 seconds to go into D or R after having been in park with the engine turned off. Then all of a sudden it goes into gear no problem and drives fine.
I don't force it or anything, just gently try and get it into gear until it does.

Has anyone else had this problem?

 

Have no special insite or expertise on transmissions but the one thing you must do first is check the bolts on the drivers side of the xmission that mount the shift cable bracket. That is a common problem with these cars as reported on this forum many times.
Good luck. Do let us know what you find. Fingers crossed and keeping good thoughts for you.

 

OK thanks for the tip and the well wishes!

I also get the feeling that the parking brake might be involved. Could this be correct?

 

Since my last post I've focussed on pushing the brake pedal in all the way and the transmission releases.

My guess is that this is a sign to get my brake pads changed since I probably won't have to push the pedal in as far then.

In anyone else's experience am I right?

 

When I say "all the way" I mean pushing hard, not just normal pressure, until the transmission releases. I don't think this is normal. Can the brake pedal be adjusted?

 

It's not the brakes' fault!

 

I've got the car up on axle stands right now. Where exactly should the cable attachment bolts be situated?

good news is: found it!



Bad news - they are in tight!

So now I've disconnected the battery to see if "rebooting" the electronics helps anything.

 

Hmm - tranny pauses before going into gear, but not as much as before! However, I've now got a parking brake fault!

 

The parking brake fault light stayed on for 2 trips today. During the first trip (to the office) the warning light was on, but the brakes remained off. On the way home the brakes came on and locked 500 yards from the house (so I crawled home).

I turned the engine off and I could hear the brakes disengage and then re-engage and the red parking brake light came on as usual. After letting everything cool down I started the car, put it into gear (still a bit "sticky") but the brake issue seems to have been cured by the car's computer. I drove round the block - everything normal - and when I put the car in park the parking brake came on as normal.

So that issue has gone away.

I still have to juggle the gear selector/lever a few times to engage D or R though. So I'm now thinking it has to be the pawl.

Thoughts anyone?